mike smith1
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| posted on 14/12/05 at 11:04 AM |
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INDY BLADE COOLING SYSTEM
Hi,
I need a radiator for my indyblade, managed to get hold of a radiator of my friends v-tec civic, this is small enough and will go under the nose cone,
but it doesn't have a temp sensor built into it, i understand this is needed as there isnt one in the blade engine.
What are my options?
I was going to buy a micra rad, does this have the sensor built in?
Cheers Mike
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ReMan
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| posted on 14/12/05 at 11:43 AM |
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Yes it does, has the right size hose stubs too. MK sell them.
www.plusnine.co.uk
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mike smith1
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| posted on 14/12/05 at 11:55 AM |
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I think MK's radiator is a modified escort rad, that was my back up from a micra rad!
cheers mike
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ChrisGamlin
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| posted on 14/12/05 at 12:25 PM |
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Do you mean a temperature sender, or a fan switch?
The blade has a temp sender in the top of the head (above the thermostat housing) for giving the clocks a temperature reading, but I dont think the
ECU can control the fan so you do need a means of switching that on automatically, which is most commonly done with a fan switch in the rad itself, or
in the top hose.
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ReMan
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| posted on 14/12/05 at 12:33 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by mike smith1
I think MK's radiator is a modified escort rad, that was my back up from a micra rad!
cheers mike
I think your probably right 
The other option is to use a top hoze mounted switch,
The one on the engine is a sensor to drive the meter, but you want the fan to switch on rad temp not engine temp
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mike smith1
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| posted on 14/12/05 at 01:31 PM |
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i need a thermo switch to switch on the fan
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chrisf
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| posted on 14/12/05 at 02:11 PM |
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I used a Civic radiator as well. My website should be up in a few minutes, so you can see what I did. With this setup, it is important to note a
couple things.
First, like Chris says, you'll need a fan switch inline with a hose. On mine, I had a bung welded to an ali tube that comes off the thermostat.
I then tapped this for a fan switch.
Also, with the Civic rad, you cannot use the usual plumbing diagrams out there. The reason is, you need an expansion type tank, not a header tank.
There is a single small bleed nipple off the top of the rad. This goes directly to the expansion tank. Everything else is closed up.
I've ran my engine for 15-20 minutes once and watched the fan come on and off a few times. It works well. I also really like the Civic radiator.
Like you said, it is small, so I build an air dam the forces air through the rad. Oh, and the rad will have to be offset to the passenger side a bit
for lower hose clearence. The hose OD on the rad is very similar to the 'blade hose OD, so no need to reducers, etc.
--HTH, Chris
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Brooky
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| posted on 14/12/05 at 03:46 PM |
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Mine has a switch on the dash ( manually operated ) but can honestly say in the 2 years i have been running it i have only needed to turn it on once
in a long, long, long line of traffic.
[Edited on 14/12/05 by Brooky]
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ChrisGamlin
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| posted on 14/12/05 at 05:51 PM |
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Why not just go for the usual Polo / Golf rad? They are cheap (~£40 new), well proven in many kit car applications, and they have a threaded boss for
a thermostatic switch.
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oliwb
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| posted on 14/12/05 at 05:53 PM |
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you could just put one of those capillary type jobbies in it. That'd probably be the simpelist and cheapest....Oli.
If your not living life on the edge you're taking up too much room!
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ChrisGamlin
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| posted on 14/12/05 at 06:56 PM |
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for turning the fan on?
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mike smith1
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| posted on 14/12/05 at 09:17 PM |
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Many thanks for all ther replies!!
Chris (gamlin) any ideas were i can get a micra rad for £40 new as i was quoted £100 + when i rang round local motor factors, and i can get stuff at
trade!
All help much appreciated
Cheers Mike
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ChrisGamlin
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| posted on 14/12/05 at 10:17 PM |
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It will be £40 cos its not a Micra rad, its a Polo / Golf rad
Have a look at this thread here for some details, Andy at AB is really helpful and
he seems to be the cheapest Ive seen.
[Edited on 14/12/05 by ChrisGamlin]
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Hellfire
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| posted on 14/12/05 at 10:47 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by ChrisGamlin
Why not just go for the usual Polo / Golf rad? They are cheap (~£40 new), well proven in many kit car applications, and they have a threaded boss for
a thermostatic switch.
As do the Micra rads... we got a reasonably new second hand one for £15 including fan... he still has some more - where are you - Worksop? Head to
Beighton recoveries - just other side of A57 near Crystal Peaks, he has a few!!! Drop off A57 into Beighton other side of level crossing.
Doesn't open Sundays or Saturday afternoons and has parts dismantled normally... get your big wellies on though... oh and watch the dog (Rott),
it shags your leg if it wants. Glad I don't wear shorts!
[Edited on 14-12-05 by Hellfire]
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mike smith1
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| posted on 15/12/05 at 09:02 AM |
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http://www.nfauto.co.uk/temp_sender_housing.htm
Would this allow me to use the rad i have, as long as i buy the correct temperature sesor?
What is the correct size water hose for the blade and the correct temp sensor?
if link doesn't work can some one put the link in for me as i dont know how to do it!
Cheers Mike
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ChrisGamlin
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| posted on 15/12/05 at 11:52 AM |
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That appears to be for a temperature sender for a gauge, rather than a fan switch sender which are usually a lot bigger than M10.
Even so, putting something like that in adds weight and complication (two extra hoses to leak etc) so I would personally look at replacing the rad you
have with something that does everything you need it to, either a second hand Micra one like Hellfire mentions, or one of the Golf rads.
BTW the main hoses on the blade a 25mm, I believe thats one advantage of the Micra in that its also 25mm whereas the Golf rad is 32mm so you need
step-up hoses to fit it - these are readily available though so its not a big problem to overcome.
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mike smith1
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| posted on 15/12/05 at 11:54 AM |
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Cheers Chris will look around
Thanks Mike
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chrisf
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| posted on 15/12/05 at 01:37 PM |
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Hi Mike:
Did you manage to have a look at my website? It has lots of 1200x600 pictures of what you're asking. If needed, I
can email the pics to you, but I'll have cut them down first. It seems easier to look at the website. At least there, you get well-written,
witty editorials 
--Chris
[Edited on 15/12/05 by chrisf]
[Edited on 15/12/05 by chrisf]
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mike smith1
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| posted on 15/12/05 at 02:32 PM |
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I've looked and they are helpful mate, thanks, what fan switch did you use??
I think thats the way i'm going now i have seen your pics, doesn't look to complicated!
Cheers Mike
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mike smith1
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| posted on 15/12/05 at 02:48 PM |
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Any ideas what temp the sensor needs to turn the fan on, on the blade engine?
Cheers Mike
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chrisf
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| posted on 15/12/05 at 02:52 PM |
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I don't remember what switch I ended up using. Shortie (on this board) told me roughly the fan switch on/off times and I flipped through
catalogs at the auto parts store until I found the one I needed. Maybe he'll pipe up with a suggestion.
Note that in my pics, I originally used a header tank from a VW Jetta/Bora. I later switched to the Japanese-style expansion tank. There is a big
difference, so make sure you get the right tank and use the right plumbing diagram.
I have to agree with ChrisG, though. If you don't already have the Civic rad, I'd use the VW rad the other's use. These were not
available to me in the US, so I used the Civic bit.
--HTH, Chris
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